$5M estate tax exemption, to protect family farms

`Bill Owens also supports an estate tax exemption for up to $5 million, a threshold that will make sure family farms and small businesses in Upstate New York are not negatively impacted.
He does not support increasing taxes on small businesses or middle class families that are already struggling during these tough economic times.

Minimum tax rate of 30% for those earning over $1 million.

Owens co-sponsored Paying a Fair Share Act

Paying a Fair Share Act of 2012:

Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require an individual taxpayer whose adjusted gross income exceeds $1 million to pay a minimum tax rate of 30% of the excess of the taxpayer's adjusted gross income over the taxpayer's modified charitable contribution deduction for the taxable year (tentative fair share tax).

Establishes the amount of such tax as the excess of the tentative fair share tax over the excess of the sum of the taxpayer's regular tax liability, the alternative minimum tax (AMT) amount, and the payroll tax for the taxable year;

Provides for a phase-in of such tax.

Requires an inflation adjustment to the $1 million income threshold for taxable years beginning after 2013.

Expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress should enact tax reform that repeals unfair and unnecessary tax loopholes and expenditures, simplifies the tax system, and makes sure that the wealthiest taxpayers pay a fair share of taxes.